safe to put dried out top down? 89 lx

hello, my uncle gave me his 89 mustang 2.3l lx last year and its been sitting in my garage lately. i have restored a few things on it since like the seats, seat belts and carpet. i have a new pump for the convertable top but im worried that if i try to put it down it wont go to well. although the material on my top feels soft and nice, there are a few cracks on it and the rear window (which is the most dried out and cracked part of it) allows water to get in and settle on the boot (which now is looking kind of rusty) during rain. i plan on getting a new top, how ever i was thinking of just leaving it down since its in the garage all the time anyways. would it be safe to put down? and if i was to put it back up would it be ok? i would post pics but my phone sadly broke getting caught in the cars door earlier today